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Thursday, May 18, 2017

ROY G BIV: Birds of a spectrum

Just after sunrise, a rain shower passed to the north of the lake in our local south Florida wetlands. A rainbow reflected on the surface of the water:The human eye can discern electromagnetic radiation in a rather narrow band of wavelengths of about 390 to 700 nanometers, a frequency of 430-770 THz. The visible colors of the spectrum may be arranged in the order of their frequency, from low to high (wavelengths from long to short). Thanks to a profusion of retinal cones, humans can see colors better than most other mammals. However, birds generally see a wider range of colors, snakes are able to detect infrared, and spiders, bees and many other insects (and rats) are sensitive to ultraviolet light. Many flowers attract pollinators with ultraviolet hues.As a child I learned to recite the colors of the rainbow, from top to bottom (long to short wave) by reciting the mnemonic "Roy G Biv.""Another traditional mnemonic device has been to turn the initial letters of seven spectral colors into a sentence. In Britain the most common is "Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain." The mnemonic is said to refer to the defeat and death of Richard, Duke of York at the Battle of Wakefield. To avoid reference to this defeat, people from Yorkshire developed the alternative "Rowntrees Of York Gave Best In Value." Alternatively, the biblically inspired "Read Out Your Good Book In Verse," or the more anarchic "Rinse Out Your Granny's Boots In Vinegar," may be used." (Wikipedia) More rainbows--Partial:Our neighbor Estelle's home is at the end of one:Full:Fogbow:Rainbow effects--Clouds:Spider webs:ROY G BIV Birds--Red: Scarlet TanagerOrange: Baltimore OrioleYellow: American GoldfinchGreen: Painted Bunting femaleBlue: Mountain BluebirdIndigo: Indigo BuntingViolet: Common GrackleYOU TUBE:

Wow, have never seen a reflection of the rainbow in the water! These spiderwebs are phenomenal -am envious! In my writing about creativity (it probably will be published posthumously, lol) the progression of the colors in the rainbow is a much better way to view colors than the contrast of the color wheel of contrasts what is mostly referred to now in art education.I read in a book about a 7-(?)year-old after he came out of a coma, describing the sky of heaven as a rainbow Not just that there was a rainbow in the sky, but the whole sky reflected the colors of the rainbow. We have a lot to look forward to:)Many thanks for sharing this post to All Seasons, and wishing you a lovely week!

All the Roy G Bivs there are looking beautiful (I can't imagine trying to remember by any other mnemonic, albeit the Granny's boots one is quite hilarious). And your bird portraits, as alwwys are stunning.

SLIDE SHOW: my Photostream

About Me

Virtual New Mexican, winters in Florida and migrates annually to Illinois, remembers growing up, birding and practicing in New Jersey, finds birds and beauty close to home.
A lifelong birder and retired physician, I grew up and began my practice in New Jersey. After my career in the US Public Health Service, my wife Mary Lou and I retired to the mountains of New Mexico, where we led bird walks at Rio Grande Nature Center and the US Forest Service. The cooperative rosy-finch feeding project we initiated at Sandia Crest has developed into a major banding and research program. More recently we moved to South Florida, where we worked to create a Bald Eagle sanctuary to protect this species' first active nest in Broward County since before DDT was banned. We migrate to a second home in northern Illinois. I took up photography in 2008 and enjoy finding beauty in birds and nature close to home. Read
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